I've had it now for almost a day. I only had the car for 7 days before I gave it back to them for 8, so my perspective got lost. It felt fast as hell before, feels fast as hell now.

How do I physically confirm that it's installed? They badged it all up under the hood but I still have my doubts when asking someone else to do the work. The exhaust burbles and pops 'a little bit' when downshifting, but it COULD have been doing that before and I just wasnt listening for it - it's fairly discreet from inside the car.

I did check this morning on a cold start, and for at least 30 seconds after it started it still had the left pipe closed. My understanding was that the PPK kept both pipes open all the time, is it different if its a cold start and its warming up?

Any opinions or ideas for verification of a correct install?

Overall I am pretty pleased. I purchased a CPO XI with sport but not the 18 inch wheels, and I got them to put in the oil cooler free of charge so they could install the PPK.

For me there is a very noticable increase in the gurgle and popping with the PPK installed. Back off the gas at 2500 rpm or below and its snap crackle pop all the way down almost to idle speed. I had a noticeable gain down low and it pulls harder up top as well. I would say its an improvement - but not a transformation. Overall very please with it.

Dang, you are putting down some very impressive torque numbers. That's what I love to see. Your 135i is a beast with that DCT, too.

I've had it now for almost a day. I only had the car for 7 days before I gave it back to them for 8, so my perspective got lost. It felt fast as hell before, feels fast as hell now.

How do I physically confirm that it's installed? They badged it all up under the hood but I still have my doubts when asking someone else to do the work. The exhaust burbles and pops 'a little bit' when downshifting, but it COULD have been doing that before and I just wasnt listening for it - it's fairly discreet from inside the car.

I did check this morning on a cold start, and for at least 30 seconds after it started it still had the left pipe closed. My understanding was that the PPK kept both pipes open all the time, is it different if its a cold start and its warming up?

Any opinions or ideas for verification of a correct install?

Overall I am pretty pleased. I purchased a CPO XI with sport but not the 18 inch wheels, and I got them to put in the oil cooler free of charge so they could install the PPK.

You are practically, but not quite, correct on the left pipe closing with startup. I've checked this: During a morning cold start, the left pipe will remain closed for more than 2-3 minutes, however, when you actually drive and the engine is warmed, it will always be open in any RPMs. Before the PPK, the left pipe opens only during higher revs and higher RPMs (it never opens during startup unless you get PE exhaust), therefore your exhaust note should be noticeably louder after the PPK when driving. Since the second pipe now works all the time, even in slow city driving, the exhaust becomes meaner and deeper. That is one of two ways to confirm the PPK--and the other? It pulls much harded with a lot less throttle lag from a stop. I noticed the increased power right off the bat, and that's how I confirmed it for myself. Enjoy it!

The only problem: If your exhuast is not louder during all driving and you do not feel your car being stronger during all driving, then they did not install the PPK properly. Earlier in this thread, I argued with a guy who did not feel more power with the PPK, and as it turns out, they never upgraded his ECU when he bought it. So this is up to you to confirm.

I actually have a PE and i opened the valve with the golf tee mode already before i let the PPK installed. (European PE has a valve, American doesn't)

I think the best thing to test it, is to open the valve (you know now how) and open your window. Do some city streets. That should confince you... The burble should be there!!!

The PPK software itself lets your left pipe always open during driving, but not during warmup. But if you get the PPK exhaust, too, it comes without the valve being there at all--it's tuned for more sound and does not require a valve to be more quiet like the stock. And this is true if your in America. If your in Europe, it's like Belgier said.

I can factually confirm that on the 335i N55, the exhuast valve remains open after the software, during all driving. It was mostly closed on the stock setup, however, after the PPK software, it is always open on my car. My exhuast tips no longer unevenly get dirty due to one being open more than the other. They wear dirt in the exact same way, and it was not like that prior to the PPK. And, of course, it's a lot louder, too.

Yes - by PE I was referring to the performance exhaust. I installed that about a week after I got the car - When I bought my 135i in November of 2010 they didnt have a performance edition or even the PPK available.

I also installed he performance suspension and I am super happy with that as well, if anyone is considering suspension upgrades to go along with the bump in power.

Dang, you are putting down some very impressive torque numbers. That's what I love to see. Your 135i is a beast with that DCT, too.

I have to drive in stop and go traffic over a 1500 ft elevation change up and then down in the course of about 3 miles so I decided to try the DCT. Been very happy with it - its a lot of fun and with the torque curve of the PPK and rapid shifting of the DCT is pretty quick around town.

I can factually confirm that on the 335i N55, the exhuast valve remains open after the software, during all driving. It was mostly closed on the stock setup, however, after the PPK software, it is always open on my car. My exhuast tips no longer unevenly get dirty due to one being open more than the other. They wear dirt in the exact same way, and it was not like that prior to the PPK. And, of course, it's a lot louder, too.

Ok! I opened the valve, the first day i had the PE so i believe what you say

I have to drive in stop and go traffic over a 1500 ft elevation change up and then down in the course of about 3 miles so I decided to try the DCT. Been very happy with it - its a lot of fun and with the torque curve of the PPK and rapid shifting of the DCT is pretty quick around town.

I think BMW makes a really good DCT. I wish it were an option on the 335i, aside from the iS.

It seemed like you were confused in your post, but nevermind - I read it out of context. Was the Stage 2 worth its money in your opinion? I've heard mixed reviews.

It made a huge difference when I was out in the desert in 117 degree heat, racing back and forth from hotel to shoot location because I needed to grab additional camera gear. Never went over 245.

Compared to 104 degrees prior to having the stage 2 installed when it bumped up to 255 during much milder driving.

However, I haven't tracked the car yet, so I don't know how much it really affects performance. Also, I should note that since my car was non-sport from the factory, it didn't come with the water cooler, which the dealership installed -along with a couple other items- to bring it up to spec for the stage 2.

It made a huge difference when I was out in the desert in 117 degree heat, racing back and forth from hotel to shoot location because I needed to grab additional camera gear. Never went over 245.

Compared to 104 degrees prior to having the stage 2 installed when it bumped up to 255 during much milder driving.

However, I haven't tracked the car yet, so I don't know how much it really affects performance. Also, I should note that since my car was non-sport from the factory, it didn't come with the water cooler, which the dealership installed -along with a couple other items- to bring it up to spec for the stage 2.

I see. Yeah, that makes sense. I think you mean the oil cooler, though, right? My M Sport had that, as opposed to a non-sport. But the dealer told me that the water cooler is part of the Stage 2 kit, making the oil cooler just the Sport extra that you get with the actual sport package. I don't know.

My car, after the PPK 1, has never went passed 245 like you said. I did some high elevation driving along with traffic in about 100 heat, and have never ran passed 245, so very happy. Did they install extra cooling ducts in the fog-light area in yours? Like the iS has.

I see. Yeah, that makes sense. I think you mean the oil cooler, though, right? My M Sport had that, as opposed to a non-sport. But the dealer told me that the water cooler is part of the Stage 2 kit, making the oil cooler just the Sport extra that you get with the actual sport package. I don't know.

My car, after the PPK 1, has never went passed 245 like you said. I did some high elevation driving along with traffic in about 100 heat, and have never ran passed 245, so very happy. Did they install extra cooling ducts in the fog-light area in yours? Like the iS has.

Sorry, oil cooler is correct. They install a water cooler with the stage 2 ppk, oil cooler would be stock on a 2011 e90 sport (but not on base).

I got extra cooling ducts installed as well alongside the foglight area, and a more powerful fan, along with the aforementioned oil and water coolers.

How about the exhaust, did you get that too? It's the only thing I'm really wanting to get, but at the same time, don't want to spend all that money.

Did not get the exhaust. Having heard the Performance Exhaust, it is a lovely sound, and combined with burbles and pops of the PPK, I just know it would be amazing, but.... it's really expensive, I'm buying a house, having a kid, getting married all in the space of a few months, so it's not really a priority right now.

Also, the PPK already did wonderful things to the exhaust sound of my stock pipes. Definitely a good bit louder under throttle -not to mention those fantastic burbles and pops during engine overruns, again.

Did not get the exhaust. Having heard the Performance Exhaust, it is a lovely sound, and combined with burbles and pops of the PPK, I just know it would be amazing, but.... it's really expensive, I'm buying a house, having a kid, getting married all in the space of a few months, so it's not really a priority right now.

Also, the PPK already did wonderful things to the exhaust sound of my stock pipes. Definitely a good bit louder under throttle -not to mention those fantastic burbles and pops during engine overruns, again.

Yeah, I noticed the same exact effect after the PPK and loved it! The exhaust should be stock that way. But yeah, in your case, I would not be concerned with car mods at all, lol.